High Interest: April 4

Published: Thursday, April 4, 2013 at 11:41 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, April 4, 2013 at 11:41 a.m.

Accelerating Appalachia is accepting application for the inaugural class of Accelerating Appalachian, a business accelerator focused on nature-based companies.

This mentor- and investor-driven program is aimed at attracting and growing innovative, high-impact ventures in areas such as food products, agroforestry, fiber, green building, craft brewing/distilling, nutraceuticals, biomaterials and clean energy.

Participants selected for the program will spend an intensive 12 weeks with seasoned entrepreneurs and proven practitioners who will serve as mentors and coaches, helping with all aspects of business development, especially financing. At the end of this session, which begins in September, two pre-selected entrepreneurs will each receive a $50,000 investment.

The deadline to apply is April 30.

For more information or to apply, call Sara Day Evans at 828-216-9416 or go to www.acceleratingappalachia.org.

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AM Power Hour will be held from 8 to 9 a.m. Friday, April 5, at Carolina ACE Hardware.

This Henderson County Chamber of Commerce event is designed to be a networking opportunity for area business professionals. Refreshments will be provided.

Carolina ACE Hardware is on Greenville Highway, just past the Residences at Chadwick Square. For more information, call the Chamber at 828-692-1413.

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ASHEVILLE — UNC Asheville's 29th annual Economic Crystal Ball Seminar will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 18, at UNC Asheville's Lipinsky Auditorium. Noted economists David W. Berson and James F. Smith will make forecasts on the business and financial outlook for the coming year. The economic outlook portion of the program will focus on inflation, employment, interest rates, the strength of the dollar and status of the housing market. The implications of Federal Reserve policy for financial markets will also be addressed.

Berson is senior vice president and chief economist for Nationwide Insurance.

Smith is chief economist at Parsec Financial and has been an economic forecaster for more than 30 years.

The seminar, sponsored by the UNC Asheville Economics Department and Parsec Financial, will also feature a reception at 6:15 p.m.

Admission to this event is free, but registration is required.

For more information or to register, contact the UNCA Economics Department at 828-251-6550 or email kmoore@unca.edu.

<p>Accelerating Appalachia is accepting application for the inaugural class of Accelerating Appalachian, a business accelerator focused on nature-based companies.</p><p>This mentor- and investor-driven program is aimed at attracting and growing innovative, high-impact ventures in areas such as food products, agroforestry, fiber, green building, craft brewing/distilling, nutraceuticals, biomaterials and clean energy.</p><p>Participants selected for the program will spend an intensive 12 weeks with seasoned entrepreneurs and proven practitioners who will serve as mentors and coaches, helping with all aspects of business development, especially financing. At the end of this session, which begins in September, two pre-selected entrepreneurs will each receive a $50,000 investment.</p><p>The deadline to apply is April 30.</p><p>For more information or to apply, call Sara Day Evans at 828-216-9416 or go to www.acceleratingappalachia.org.</p><p>u</p><p>AM Power Hour will be held from 8 to 9 a.m. Friday, April 5, at Carolina ACE Hardware.</p><p>This Henderson County Chamber of Commerce event is designed to be a networking opportunity for area business professionals. Refreshments will be provided.</p><p>Carolina ACE Hardware is on Greenville Highway, just past the Residences at Chadwick Square. For more information, call the Chamber at 828-692-1413.</p><p>u</p><p>ASHEVILLE — UNC Asheville's 29th annual Economic Crystal Ball Seminar will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 18, at UNC Asheville's Lipinsky Auditorium. Noted economists David W. Berson and James F. Smith will make forecasts on the business and financial outlook for the coming year. The economic outlook portion of the program will focus on inflation, employment, interest rates, the strength of the dollar and status of the housing market. The implications of Federal Reserve policy for financial markets will also be addressed.</p><p>Berson is senior vice president and chief economist for Nationwide Insurance.</p><p>Smith is chief economist at Parsec Financial and has been an economic forecaster for more than 30 years. </p><p>The seminar, sponsored by the UNC Asheville Economics Department and Parsec Financial, will also feature a reception at 6:15 p.m.</p><p>Admission to this event is free, but registration is required.</p><p>For more information or to register, contact the UNCA Economics Department at 828-251-6550 or email kmoore@unca.edu.</p><p>Compiled by Leigh Kelley</p>